GDT: 4/10/09 - DET (1-3) VS Tex (3-0) - 1:05 p.m. ET

TORONTO -- The pageantry will be nice. The ceremonies will probably be touching. But just as important for many of the Tigers on Opening Day, the weather will be warm, relatively speaking.

The Tigers opened last season at Comerica Park and went 0-6 for the homestand. Their experience with the cold Midwestern weather in April left some of their key bats cold and their offense inconsistent, at best, until the weather and the Tigers warmed up in May. Saving their season, on the other hand, was too much.

This year, the Tigers come home after losing three of four in Toronto. But to many players, they arrive in Detroit better prepared for performing at Comerica Park. They've had four games at regular-season speed in moderate conditions under a dome, allowing them to ramp up their intensity after Spring Training without dealing with the elements. And key hitters such as Miguel Cabrera have had a chance to heat up their bats before they have to put on cold-weather gear.

"Yeah, a lot of difference," Cabrera said after reaching base safely in 11 of his 15 plate appearances at Rogers Centre. "We played with good weather. There's no wind, no nothing. It's not cold. It's not hot. So it helps a lot [to get ready]."

The key factor manager Jim Leyland pointed out was that the Tigers knew the games were going to be played without delays or postponements. He was able to get all of his relievers some work, and every position player made at least one start, except for Jeff Larish, who Leyland said could end up as the designated hitter on Friday.

"I'm really glad we came here, because we got our games," Leyland said. "We weren't sitting out in the cold weather waiting for rain delays and snow delays and everything. We got in a little bit of a routine. Now, we may have to go through some of that [weather], but I think it's good that we got off and going. We didn't have to worry about our pitchers getting backed up, or all of a sudden getting snowed out the first two days. We've got our rotation going a little bit. I like that a lot."

If they had opened the season at home, they would've been snowed out on Monday. Instead, they'll open Friday under forecasted partly cloudy skies, with high temperatures in the low 50s. In fact, there's no rain in the forecast until Tuesday, the next-to-last day of the six-game homestand, with temperatures staying in the same range.

That should make for a much more comfortable opener for many players, as well as the fans. A win, of course, would make it more enjoyable.

While several new Tigers will be introduced, Armando Galarraga will get a reunion with his former teammates on the Texas Rangers after beating them last August. His outing will be another reminder of what Texas gave up in its Minor League trade with Detroit just before Spring Training last year, but Leyland meant it to be a reward for all Galarraga accomplished last season.

Galarraga led the Tigers with 13 wins last year, filling the gap left by the injuries and struggles of Dontrelle Willis.

Friday's pregame festivities will give thanks to many of their fans who work in the auto industry, and Leyland is looking forward to it.

"The thing with the automakers [using the center-field fountain as a show of support] is an unbelievable gesture," Leyland said. "Hopefully that'll lighten some spirits a little bit. Hopefully we'll give them a good show. We'll be playing a team that's obviously swinging the bats extremely well right out of the chute. They can hit. So can we."

The key for many Tigers is that, unlike last year, they already have been hitting.

While fans get a look at the fountain showing the Tigers' support for the Big Three auto companies, each of the automakers will be represented on the field, as Michigan native and noted Tigers fan Kid Rock delivers baseballs for the ceremonial first pitches. Instead of celebrities or politicians, auto workers from each company will be taking the mound.

The ceremonies will begin at 12:35 p.m. ET with an on-field tribute to Hall of Famer George Kell, who passed away last month. The traditional Opening Day happenings will follow, from player introductions to the national anthem, performed by members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. A military flyover will accompany the anthem, featuring four F-15C aircraft from the 95th Fighter Squadron based out of Tyndall Air Force Base.

Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Armando Galarraga (13-7, 3.73 ERA in 2008)
Galarraga was awarded the home-opener assignment partly as a reward for his breakout 2008 season, having led the Tigers in victories for the year. Just as important, though, is the fact that Galarraga never seems to get hyped up, a key advantage for a game that's an unofficial holiday in Detroit with an intense atmosphere. If his makeup gets him ready for it, his challenge before then is to make sure he's physically ready after having to catch up on innings following the World Baseball Classic. The fact that he'll face his old squad with a former Rangers catcher, Gerald Laird, possibly working with him is a nice bonus. He beat the Rangers last August with a quality start at Arlington.

TEX: RHP Kris Benson (Did not play in 2008)
Benson will be making his first start in a Major League game since Sept. 27, 2006, when he was with the Orioles. The right-hander was signed by the Rangers at the beginning of Spring Training and ended up winning a spot in the starting rotation. He missed much of the past two seasons with a torn rotator cuff and is 2-1 with a 2.38 ERA in three career starts against the Tigers.

Tidbits
Laird spent his career in Texas before being dealt to Detroit for two prospects last December.
... Brandon Inge's next home run will be the 100th of his career. His 55 home runs at Comerica Park are the most by any player.
... Galarraga made the Tigers' Opening Day roster for the first time this year. He went 5-3 with a 4.18 ERA at Comerica Park last season, compared with 8-4 with a 3.36 ERA on the road.

To track MLB play-by-play: http://m.mlb.com/scores/

On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FS-D HD/FOX 2

On radio
• WXYT 1270

Up next
• Saturday: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 0-1, 19.64 ERA) vs. Rangers (Matt Harrison, 9-3, 5.49 ERA in 2008), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Tigers (Edwin Jackson, 0-0, 1.23 ERA) vs. Rangers (Kevin Millwood, 1-0, 1.29 ERA), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Monday: Tigers (TBD) vs. White Sox (Gavin Floyd, 0-1, 2.57 ERA), 1:05 p.m. ET

Starting Lineup:

Texas AVG
Kinsler, 2B .500
Young, 3B .417
Hamilton, CF .273
Blalock, DH .286
Cruz, N, RF .364
Byrd, LF .333
Davis, C, 1B .091
Saltalamacchia, C .429
Andrus, El, SS .375


Detroit AVG
Granderson, CF .313
Polanco, 2B .154
Ordonez, RF .267
Cabrera, M, 1B .615
Guillen, LF .231
Larish, DH .000
Laird, C .182
Inge, 3B .286
Everett, SS .100

Current Conditions

Comerica Park

Partly Cloudy 48 F

Humidity: 50 %

Wind: from the NE at 15 mph

Barometer: 29.95 in

last updated: 4/10/09 12:25 PM EDT

Inning 1
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Ian Kinsler grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Michael Young swinging.

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Josh Hamilton pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out, first baseman Chris Davis to pitcher Kris Benson.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Placido Polanco lines out to left fielder Marlon Byrd.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez walks.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Michael Young to first baseman Chris Davis.

0-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Hank Blalock grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Nelson Cruz singles on a ground ball to left fielder Carlos Guillen.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Marlon Byrd singles on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Nelson Cruz to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:3 - Chris Davis grounds into double play,
second baseman Placido Polanco to shortstop Adam Everett to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Marlon Byrd out at 2nd.

0-0

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen pops out to shortstop Elvis Andrus.

B:3 S:2 O:1 - Jeff Larish singles on a soft ground
ball to catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Jeff Larish advances to 2nd, on
throwing error by catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird singles on a line drive to center fielder Josh Hamilton. Jeff Larish scores.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Brandon Inge pops out to first baseman Chris Davis in foul territory.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Adam Everett flies out to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

1-0

Inning 3
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Jarrod Saltalamacchia grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Elvis Andrus .

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Ian Kinsler swinging.

Bottom Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson called out on .

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Placido Polanco singles on a ground ball to shortstop Elvis Andrus.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Marlon Byrd. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to right fielder Nelson Cruz. Placido Polanco to 3rd. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Nelson Cruz. Placido Polanco scores. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Jeff Larish swinging.

2-0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Michael Young lines out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Josh Hamilton walks.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Hank Blalock lines out to second baseman Placido Polanco.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Nelson Cruz swinging.

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Gerald Laird flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge singles on a line drive to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Adam Everett singles on a ground ball to right fielder Nelson Cruz. Brandon Inge to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson doubles (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Nelson Cruz. Brandon Inge scores. Adam Everett to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Placido Polanco hit by pitch.

3-0

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2 - Miguel Cabrera hits a grand slam (3) to
center field. Adam Everett scores. Curtis Granderson scores. Placido
Polanco scores.

B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Carlos Guillen grounds out to first baseman Chris Davis.

7-0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Marlon Byrd grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Chris Davis on foul tip.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Jarrod Saltalamacchia on foul tip.

7-0

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Jeff Larish (1) on a line drive to left center field.

B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Gerald Laird walks.

8-0

B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge flies out to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

B:1 S:2 O:2 - Adam Everett grounds into a force out,
first baseman Chris Davis to shortstop Elvis Andrus. Gerald Laird out
at 2nd. Adam Everett to 1st.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson lines out sharply to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

8-0 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Elvis Andrus singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Carlos Guillen.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Ian Kinsler flies out to left fielder Carlos Guillen in foul territory.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Michael Young flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Josh Hamilton singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Elvis Andrus to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Hank Blalock singles on a fly ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson. Elvis Andrus scores. Josh Hamilton to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:3 - Nelson Cruz grounds into a force out,
third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Placido Polanco. Hank
Blalock out at 2nd.

8-1

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Warner Madrigal replaces Kris Benson.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, pitcher Warner Madrigal to first baseman Chris Davis.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

8-1 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Marlon Byrd swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Chris Davis flies out to left fielder Carlos Guillen.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Jarrod Saltalamacchia swinging.

8-1

Bottom Half

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen flies out to left fielder Marlon Byrd.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Jeff Larish pops out to third baseman Michael Young.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Gerald Laird hit by pitch.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge walks. Gerald Laird to 2nd.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
With Adam Everett batting, wild pitch by Warner Madrigal, Gerald Laird to 3rd. Brandon Inge to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett walks. Bases Loaded

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson walks. Gerald Laird scores. Brandon Inge to 3rd. Adam Everett to 2nd.

9-1

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Josh Rupe replaces Warner Madrigal.


B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Placido Polanco walks. Brandon Inge scores. Adam Everett to 3rd. Curtis Granderson to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2 - Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball
to center fielder Josh Hamilton. Adam Everett scores. Curtis Granderson
scores. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

12-1

B:3 S:2 O:2 - Miguel Cabrera doubles (2) on a line
drive to center fielder Josh Hamilton. Placido Polanco scores. Magglio
Ordonez scores.


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen walks.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Josh Anderson replaces Carlos Guillen.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Jeff Larish grounds out, second baseman Ian Kinsler to first baseman Chris Davis.

14-1 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Josh Anderson remains in the game as the left fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Armando Galarraga.

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Elvis Andrus swinging.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Ian Kinsler walks.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Michael Young lines out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Josh Hamilton walks. Ian Kinsler to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Eddie Bonine replaces Ryan Perry.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Hank Blalock lines out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

14-1

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Gerald Laird triples (1) on a line drive to center fielder Josh Hamilton.

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Brandon Inge walks.

B:0 S:1 O:1 - Adam Everett grounds into a force out,
third baseman Michael Young to second baseman Ian Kinsler. Gerald Laird
scores. Brandon Inge out at 2nd. Adam Everett to 1st.

15-1

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to right fielder Nelson Cruz.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Placido Polanco singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Michael Young. Adam Everett to 2nd.


B:1 S:1 O:3 - Magglio Ordonez grounds into a force
out, shortstop Elvis Andrus to second baseman Ian Kinsler. Placido
Polanco out at 2nd.

15-1 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Nelson Cruz homers (3) on a fly ball to left center field.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Marlon Byrd grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Chris Davis grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Jarrod Saltalamacchia grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

WIN 15-2!!!!